There’s more to corn removal than simply buying some pads at your local drug store. You see, you have to treat both the corn, and the underlying cause of that corn’s formation, in order to get lasting results. So, what are corns, why do they form, and how can you get rid of these growths for good? Keep reading for all the important information.
What is a Corn on the Foot?
When you see the bump of a corn, what you’re really noticing is layers of dead skin that have piled on top of each other, creating a bump between or on top of your toes. But unlike warts or other skin growths, these bumps aren’t a sign of infection. Instead, they are your body’s way of defending itself from internal or external pressure.
What does that mean? Sometimes, you wear bad shoes, and they pinch your feet, placing excess pressure on your toes. At other times, the structure of your feet—whether they are flat, high, or simply developing bunions—causes pressure to distribute itself unevenly. When that happens, your body could suffer damage. So, instead of letting that happen, the body thickens your skin as a form of built-in, protective padding.
Now that we understand why corns form, and the role they play in your body, you may wonder why anyone would seek corn removal. After all, don’t you want to protect yourself from pressure? Well, of course you do—but, once they’ve formed, corns can actually cause pain and pressure. Especially when you’re wearing shoes. For that reason, it’s important to remove corns, while also removing the source of pressure that caused them to develop initially.
Why do corns develop? ![foot with corn on second toe]()
We’ve already noted that corns develop so your body can protect itself from pressure. And, we also mentioned that pressure sources could be internal, external or, in some cases, a bit of both. Yet here’s the most important fact to note. Once corns begin to form, they will continue to build up and grow larger until you alleviate the pressure on your feet.
What does that mean for you? If you delay corn removal, or if you treat corns at home but don’t resolve the pressure on your feet, those bumps can grow large and inflamed. They will likely be painful. And they can become deeply ingrained beneath the surface of your skin, meaning we’ll have to debride your skin in order to full resolve the problem. So, given the complexity of the process, corn removal really isn’t something to attempt on your own.
The Trouble with At Home Corn Removal
Sure, you can find hundreds of corn removal products at the local drug store. And some may even get rid of the bump on the surface of your skin. Yet few penetrate deep enough to fully remove your corn, even though they’re packed with harsh chemicals meant to take off layers of your skin. Sadly, while those chemicals are strong enough to leave you with scarring or skin damage, they often fail to fully resolve your corn. Plus, they do nothing to address the source of the corn growth. As such, it’s best to save yourself the pain and hassle of OTC corn removal products. Instead, schedule an appointment at our Medford, OR podiatry practice.
Professional Treatment Plans for Corn Removal
In contrast, when we see patients for corn treatment, we are able to safely remove all of the affected tissue, both the hardened core and the bump that’s visible on top of your skin. And we can do so while gently numbing the area to make sure the procedure isn’t painful.
Of course, getting rid of the actual corn is only the first stage of your treatment plan. Next, we’ll have to address and relieve the pressure to your feet—otherwise, that corn will be back again before you know it.
To begin with, we’ll look at your shoe selections, making sure that the pairs you wear are supporting your feet instead of hurting them. For some patients, simple shoe swaps will be enough to prevent corn recurrences. But patients will need a more permanent solution if their own foot structure contributed to corn development. In that case, we will likely recommend Advanced Orthotic Therapy. We customize these medical insoles with the help of 3D printing, so they are uniquely equipped to provide support exactly where your foot needs it. And, by doing so, they can keep pressure from building up on certain spots on your feet. As a result, you won’t have to worry about that corn coming back once we’ve removed it.
Schedule Your Corn Removal in Southern Oregon
Serving patients in southern Oregon and northern California, Dr. Evan Merrill and Dr. Devin Dimond recognize the individuality of every patient they see—both in their anatomy, and in their lifestyle needs. As a result, when you schedule a corn removal in our office, we will craft a treatment plan that fits your needs. After a thorough physical exam and medical history, we’ll determine what’s causing your corns to form. And we’ll offer a treatment plan that will relieve pain and pressure on your feet, giving you lasting freedom from corns. For some of you, that will mean just covering your corns so that they don’t develop inflammation. But, for others, more permanent interventions will be appropriate. And, regardless of what treatment works for your needs, we will deliver care with respect, compassion and expertise.
Ready to find relief from your corns? Remember, it’s much easier to treat or remove a small corn than a large one that’s already painful or inflamed. with our team as soon as possible. So, to enjoy the fastest and least uncomfortable corn removal, reach out to our office at the first sign of an issues. You can schedule our first available appointment by clicking here to send us a message, or by calling 541-776-3338 to connect with one of our team members right away.